Release Date: January 27, 2009

Planned Parenthood worked closely with our partners in Washington, DC, to ensure that the economic stimulus package included a commonsense measure — the Medicaid Family Planning State Option — that would have invested in health care and allowed states to expand health care access to more women.

Unfortunately, the Medicaid Family Planning State Option fell victim to misleading attacks and partisan politics and was cut from the stimulus package yesterday.

The Medicaid Family Planning State Option is a simple way to make health care affordable for millions of Americans. It would do two important things:

1. It would allow millions of women to obtain basic health care. It would extend safety-net health care coverage for millions of people, including many who are losing their jobs and health insurance in the economic downturn. Studies estimate that 2.3 million low-income women would receive coverage under this provision by 2014, and 500,000 women would be able to avoid unintended pregnancies.
2. In these difficult times, this provision would save states money. State budgets are being squeezed by the economic downturn, just as millions are losing their jobs and health insurance. The Medicaid Family Planning State Option not only would help states extend their coverage, it would generate savings for states and the federal government by expanding access to preventive care.

If you would like to take action on this, please visit the Planned Parenthood Federation site and call The White House directly.  Click Here for more info.